Texas A&M's Michael Thompson Jr. tabbed as head of SEC Network

ESPN has named former Texas A&M administrator Michael Thompson Jr. to the role of vice president, programming & acquisitions. He will primarily work on ESPN’s college networks properties and will serve as the contact for ESPN’s business with the Southeastern Conference.

Thompson’s responsibilities will include SEC Network’s programming strategy, content acquisitions, live event scheduling, as well as setting the long-term strategy for SEC Network and SEC Network+, and overseeing content and publication for SECSports.com, the conference’s website, according to a press release issued by ESPN.

He will also oversee programming strategy and scheduling for the Longhorn Network, ESPN’s 24-hour network devoted to the University of Texas, who will be joining the SEC in 2025 alongside Oklahoma.

“College sports, and especially the Southeastern Conference, have been a common thread throughout my and my family’s lives for decades, and I’m thrilled for this new opportunity at ESPN,” Thompson said. “It’s really the best of both worlds – the opportunity to work with the talented team at ESPN on compelling programming, powerful storytelling and innovative ways to reach our audience, combined with continuing to work with Commissioner Sankey, Charlie Hussey and the incredible staff at the SEC office, as well as my colleagues on campuses across the country.”

Thompson brings over a decades worth of experience as an executive with the Ole Miss and Texas A&M athletic departments. He was most recently the Deputy Athletics Director for External Relations and Business Development at Texas A&M, spending three years alongside Director of Athletics Ross Bjork.

Thompson, who was with Bjork in Oxford as well, served a similar role during his nine-year tenure in Oxford, which was capped off by winning the 2019 Technology Innovation Award by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) thanks to his work during his time with Ole Miss.

“We’re so excited to welcome Michael to ESPN,” said Ilan Ben-Hanan, ESPN senior vice president, programming & acquisitions. “His deep connections and strong relationships throughout the college sports community will serve us well as we continue to grow and evolve our college networks business.”

He’ll be based out of the SEC Network’s headquarters in Charlotte, N.C. and will bring a strong reputation as an innovative and collaborative leader to the office in the hopes to improve the already stellar production the SEC has seen in revenue over the past few years.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the support of my family, Ross’s leadership and trust over the past 12 years, and ESPN’s confidence in me for this role,” Thompson shared. “I can’t wait to get started.”